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“I’ll call Fitz and see if our plan is okay with him.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you at my house.” Ten grabbed his messenger bag and his keys and headed out the door. Time was of the essence with Salem being filled to bursting each day and night with Halloween revelers. They had to reach Delilah before another person was hurt.

Twenty minutes later, Ten and Cope sat at the kitchen table with the kids who were eating apple slices with peanut butter. Ten resisted the urge to reach out to Delilah. She might not come if Ten asked. He knew the chances were greater if Aurora was the one wanting to talk.

Everly pointed to the kitchen counter. “Why are Uncle Cope’s cauldron and spellbook here?” Everly asked, when she finished eating. Sitting beside Cope’s things was Delilah’s diary. Everly grabbed it and brought it back to the table.

“Delilah said Aurora was a member of the Meehan coven and I wanted to see if she could try to work a spell.” Cope’s eyes were on Aurora as he spoke.

“Really? I can try a spell?” Aurora’s eyes glowed with excitement. “I should ask Daddy if it’s okay with him.”

“Already done.” Cope grinned. “I called him on my way home. He, Ronan, and Jude will be here soon.”

“That might not be the best idea,” Everly said. “After what happened last night at Omen, Delilah is scared. Mostly of men. I know she spoke to Aurora with all of us here the other day, but it might be better if there were fewer men here.”

“Are you getting this from your gift or is this something you think we should do?” Ten was curious to see how his empathetic daughter would answer.

“It’s the right thing to do. We want to make Delilah feel comfortable and safe. We all have her best interests in mind, but she might not know that and maybe won’t trust us.”

“I’m so proud of you.” Ten reached out for Everly’s hand.

“I didn’t get to speak much to Delilah the other day, but I could feel her pain. I want to do anything I can to take some of that burden away from her.” Everly wore a determined look.

“Me too,” Aurora chimed in.

“I like that Uncle Cope brought his mother’s spell book, but maybe we should try one of Delilah’s spells instead.” Everly pushed the book toward Tennyson.

“Lightning Bug Spell,” Ten read. The page wasn’t just a spell, it was a work of art. A tree sat at the center surrounded with tiny bursts of light. The spell was written beneath the drawing in stylized calligraphy. “Firefly, firefly, bring light to night. Take with you my dream and bless it with light." Nothing happened when Ten finished reading the spell.

“Can I try it?” Aurora asked.

“Sure.” Ten passed the book to Aurora.

Everly got off her chair and ran to the sliding glass door, shutting the blinds, plunging the kitchen into darkness.

Aurora set her hand on the book and her eyes slid shut. “Firefly, firefly, bring light to night. Take with you my dream and bless it with light."

Ten felt a strange sort of electricity pass through his body. He exchanged an awed look with Everly, who obviously felt the electricity too.

“Everly, look. Look!” Aurora’s voice was barely above a whisper. Hundreds of points of light appeared and began to glow. “There are so many of them.”

Ten watched as more of the insects appeared in his kitchen. Their faces were lit by the fluorescent green light the bugs emitted.

“You did it, Aurora,” Everly said. “I’m so proud of you. Was it hard?”

“It was as easy as reading the words.” As Aurora spoke, more points of light filled the kitchen.

Ten worried briefly if his house was going to be infested with the bugs or if they’d disappear when Aurora closed the spell. He pulled out his phone and started filming the scene. He knew Fitz would want to see what happened.

“I did it, Delilah!” Aurora enthused. “Your magic is still alive.”

“You’ve done well, little one,” a voice said from across the room.

Ten could see the outline of a woman walking toward the table. She was dressed like an extra from Gone with the Wind. He thought her belled out gown was yellow, but it was hard to tell with the room lit only by fireflies.

“I love your dress, Miss Delilah,” Everly said, sounding awed.

“Thank you, Everly.” Delilah turned her attention to Aurora. “All the years I spent locked away in the witch board were worth the torture and agony just to be here with you. Aurora, you are the last of the Meehan witches. It is up to you to carry our legacy forward. I have the utmost faith in your abilities. You have a wonderful teacher in Mr. Forbes.” Delilah nodded toward Cope. “Two or three generations prior to my time on Earth, a Devereaux and a Meehan married. Aurora will be able to master your spells, should you decide to teach her.”